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Hi I'm Aaron R. Nielsen

I am an attorney. I am married and have a wonderful little son. I play the guitar. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

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I am married and have little son. I am an attorney who practices in oil and gas title examination. Early in my career, I did a lot of volunteer criminal defense, which I loved and still miss doing. I have lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Idaho, Georgia and Utah. My wife and I now live in Oklahoma. She is a professional dancer and owns her own dance studio. I ran track in high school and also a little bit in college before going on a two year mission for the church. I enjoy playing guitar and singing when no one is around (unless it is my son). I miss school and about once every year I think about going back and want leave my law career behind. I have a degree in psychology and would like someday to get a master's or doctorate degree in counseling. I always want to be better than I am, which I used to think was a bad thing, but now I see it as a positive and life affirming mission. I love being a father and just being with my son. I don't know if there is anything greater in this life than being with your little family and realizing how miraculous life is.

Why I am a Mormon

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I am a Mormon because the teachings resonate with my soul. I have read the scriptures (Old Testament/New Testament/Book of Mormon/Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price) cover to cover, and some of those books several times over. I have prayed to know if what is contained in those books are true, and every time I have, God has told me clearly that they are. I know that Jesus Christ came to this earth, lived perfectly and suffered for my sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, gave his life for me on the cross on Golgotha, and was resurrected for me at the tomb.
Through my studies and time spent in thought, I find it important to know that God follows a pattern and loves all his children, regardless of whether they lived 5,000 years ago, 2,000 years or today. I know that he continues to lead his people through a prophet. Through extensive study of the life of Joseph Smith, from both positive and negative viewpoints, and prayer, I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet and restorer of lost truths. I am convinced that God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet and through him brought forward the Book of Mormon, which is a record of the inhabitants of Ancient America and their dealings with God. This makes sense to me because, again, God loves all of his children. Why wouldn't he communicate with his children in another part of the world?
I know that God loves all of his children and desires them to come back home to him. He has given his son, Jesus Christ, as a Savior to us. He has restored his priesthood authority to man to officiate in the ordinances of salvation, baptism being one of them, just like he did in ancient times.
Lastly, this is the only faith I know that teaches that families are an eternal unit. If families can bring so much happiness in this life, why would it be taken away from us in the next? The resounding answer is that he won't. Families can be together forever, and nothing is more important than that.

How I live my faith

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I am far from perfect in living my faith, but I try. I am the Young Men's President in our congregation, meaning I work exclusively with youth in helping them further gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and help them to stick close to the gospel in preparation for what is to come in the future. I teach these young men the importance of reading their scriptures and to be mindful of their faith every day. I hold myself to this same standard. I work with them on Sundays, often teaching gospel lessons in class, and meet with them on Wednesdays so we can fellowship with others; I try to make myself available whenever they need me.
In my family, my wife and I pray and read the scriptures together everyday. A day hasn't gone by where we haven't done either together. I feel that by doing that, our marriage has been a lot stronger and we have avoided the troubles that a lot of couples see. I want to have a home where our kids are exposed to good habits that they can take with them when they leave the home. I want our kids to know where to turn when things get hard.

Since a new star first appeared above Bethlehem, Christmas has been a season of light, reminding us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Together, we can celebrate His birth by making the world a brighter place.

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